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Poll: Israelis divided on US role in Mideast peace

Survey finds that one third of Israelis think US impeded peace process; poll also finds that Israelis are equally split on whether State should aid needy Diaspora Jews

The seventh annual B’nai B’rith World Center's Survey on Contemporary Israeli Attitudes Toward Diaspora Jewry found that the Israeli public is divided on the effect of United States' involvement in the Mideast peace process.

 

The Internet survey was conducted earlier this month, and polled 507 Israeli Jews 18 years of age or older.

 

One-third of the participants said that the US impeded progress, while one-third said the US promoted the peace process over the past few years, with the final third saying they did not know. .

 

Most of the survey focused on attitudes regarding the ties between Israel and the Diaspora. An overwhelming 80% of Israelis strongly favored the use of their tax money to promote programs like Birthright or Masa, which garner support for Israel in the Diaspora by bringing Jewish teens and young adults to the Jewish state.

 

When asked what they considered the best way for the state to deal with violence against Jews in Europe, a majority felt it would be more effective to encourage aliyah (51%) than to work with local governments (38%) or to train the Jewish community in tactics of self-defense (7%).

 

Should taxes help needy Jews?

Israelis were almost equally split on whether Israeli tax money should be used to help members of Diaspora Jewry during times of economic crisis, with 46% supporting and 43% opposing such aid. When asked the same question in 2009, nearly 60% supported the measure.

 

Israelis seem to strongly support the creation of an instrument by which to better represent Diaspora issues in Israel, with 56% saying they are in favor of creating a “Jewish Parliament” that would advocate for the sector, with 23% opposing such a move.

 

Eighteen percent would give such a parliament the right to propose legislation to the Knesset and 25% would give it mandatory consultative status, while 40% favor the body having only a voluntary consultative status. However, 63% of participants said they are against allowing Diaspora Jews to elect “a few” Knesset members to represent their interests, with 21% saying they are in favor of such a measure.

 

Most Israelis – 51% – strongly oppose allowing citizens living outside of Israel to elect Knesset members, while 29% were in favor of allowing such citizens voting rights.

 

When asked whether American Jews should boycott Israeli settlements, 76% of Israelis said no while 13% said yes.

 

"This survey has shown the significant connection between the two communities and the extent to which they are willing to help each other,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “There clearly is a strong interest in further building the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora.”

 

B'nai B'rith is an international organization that advocates for Jewish rights.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.01.12, 13:29
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